May 2024

The Man of Steel’s Small-Town Home

The Man of Steel’s Small-Town Home Illinois May 2024 Finding Superman in Rural Illinois On our way through Illinois, the sign “Metropolis: Home of Superman!” got our attention. We just had to make a quick visit. Metropolis, IL, turned out to be a quiet Midwestern rural town, having nothing in common with the fictional, densely […]

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Cape Girardeau, MO, A Mix of French, Spanish & English Styles

Cape Girardeau, MO, A Mix of French, Spanish & English Illinois May 2024 The Crossroads of the Past Cape Girardeau started as a temporary trading post by French soldier Jean Baptiste de Girardot in 1733. It became a permanent settlement in 1793. Following the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the town quickly grew into a vital economic

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Exploring Illinois’ Lowest Point at Fort Defiance State Park

Exploring Illinois’ Lowest Point at Fort Defiance State Park Illinois May 2024 Geography, History, & Nature at Fort Defiance At the southernmost tip of Illinois lies the state’s lowest geographical point, sitting just 279 feet above sea level. Here, at Fort Defiance State Park, historically known as Camp Defiance, geography, history, and the natural environment

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Hiking the The Blue Spring Trail, Ozark NSR

Hiking the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri May 2024 Cicadas, Springs, and Serenity So we landed in Ellington, Missouri. It’s beautiful here, but not exactly quiet! Millions of cicadas emerged. They do this periodically, every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species. This is a fascinating natural phenomenon to experience, especially since these loud

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